Chargers crush Giants 37-14

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers rebounded with a 37-14 win over the New York Giants on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Billed as a showdown between quarterbacks, Philip Rivers of the Chargers and the Giants' Eli Manning, Sunday's game at Qualcomm Stadium was all about staying in the postseason conversation.

The Chargers remain in the discussion after winning for just the second time in their last six games. They are tied with the Jets at 6-7, one game behind the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins for the second AFC wild-card spot.

Wide receiver Keenen Allen caught two Rivers touchdown passes and Danny Woodhead and Ryan Mathews added rushing touchdowns as the Chargers evened their home record at 3-3.

Rivers beat Manning for the second time in their careers. They are forever linked after the Chargers obtained Rivers from the Giants, trading Manning an hour after drafting him with the first overall pick in the 2004 draft.

Rivers finished 21 of 28 for 249 yards and three touchdowns with a lost fumble. Manning was 20 of 32 for 259 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Giants threatened to climb back into the game when defensive end Justin Tuck forced a Rivers fumble deep in Chargers territory on the second half's first possession. Peyton Hillis scored on a 1-yard run, slicing the Chargers' advantage to 24-7.

But Mathews' scoring run from the 1 pushed the Chargers back ahead by 24 with 5:06 left in the third quarter.

The Chargers scored first in the opening quarter, converting Manning's 19th interception into seven points as cornerback Shareece Wright deflected a pass to linebacker Donald Butler. He returned it 30 yards, and three plays later, Allen beat cornerback Terrell Thomas for a 43-yard touchdown.

In the second quarter Rivers found Allen again, this time from four yards for a 17-0 lead.

Two minutes before halftime, the Chargers were awarded an Andre Brown fumble after a review. The Chargers cashed that miscue into a touchdown with 19 seconds remaining, as Rivers connected with Woodhead from six yards for a 24-0 cushion.

Notes: Chargers DE Melvin Ingram was activated from the physically unable to perform list for Sunday's game. Ingram injured his knee in May. … LT King Dunlap returned to the Chargers' lineup after missing two games with a neck injury. The Chargers had their opening day offensive line starting for the first time since Week 3. … Chargers offensive coach Ken Whisenhunt is among the candidates being mention to replace Gary Kubiak as head coach in Houston. … Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul didn't start for the second straight game with a shoulder injury. … Giants QB Eli Manning is 0-3 against the Chargers.